Page 125 of In a Desert Daze

“What’s tomorrow at ten?” Daisy asks, wrapping her arms around me from behind.

“Meeting with Regina at the school,” I say, my heartbeat racing. “Talking about the next round of student work.”

My thoughts wander to the future, of days with Daisy, making a life with her, and growing old with her.

“That’s exciting.” Daisy seems oblivious, but my sister wears a dopey smile, and she’s absolutely going to give this away.

“Here.” I hand her Daisy’s cup. “Can you top Daze off?”

“Just grape juice,” Daze says in a rush. “Since I’m driving.”

“Sure thing!” Ava dashes over to Dawn for more drinks before I can stop her.

“Have mine,” I say, turning around and holding my drink to Daze. “I’ll drive home.”

“I, uh, really, really just want grape juice.”

My breath stops. She went off the pill months ago, and we said we’d give it a year and see what happens.

“Just…” I whisper, pulling her aside. “Just grape juice?”

Her eyes twinkle in the sunlight in response, stealing my breath.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m late. And I took five pregnancy tests this morning, just in case.”

“Oh my god.” I might pass out, so I cup her smiling face with both hands to ground myself. “Seriously?”

“Yeah.” She nods, but her expression twists into an agonized frown as tears threaten to spill over.

“Hey, hey. This—it’s a good thing, right?”

“Very good,” she says, letting me wipe the wetness from her cheeks. “I just…I wish I could share the news with her, too.”

“Yeah.” I press my lips to her forehead and pull her even closer, longing to give her that moment—at least as much as I’m able. “It’s not the same, but you still could, here. In your own way.”

She pauses, looking around at our family and friends on the picnic blankets, and gnaws on her lower lip. “Now?”

“Only if you want. I can’t think of a more perfect place, though.”

The corners of her eyes—still wet—crinkle from her smile, and she entwines her fingers with mine. We walk back to our friends and family, Ava hands Daisy a reusable cup, and I grab a spork for us to tap on the glass and do a proper trailside toast.

“Everyone,” I say, euphoric and breathless. “We have an announcement to make.”

Daisy gives my hand a squeeze before her confession comes out. “I’m pregnant.”

Our group erupts with excitement. Ava bounces around like she might combust, Daisy’s dad races up to congratulate us both, and Gwen shouts, “I knew your vibes were on!” My parents, Dawn, Oona—everyone hugs us, filling the day with even more tears and more laughter.

Daisy and I claim a spot on a blanket, and she nudges me with her elbow. “Just think. This time next year…”

My heart swells at the thought of us becoming a family of three—at the future Daisy’s thinking of. I blink away the blurriness and turn to her, kissing her shoulder, her cheek, and her lips. “I love you.”

“I love you back,” she says, her entire being sparkling. My girl.

I don’t have any meetings tomorrow. I’m picking up Ava and we’re going to drive to an antique shop that’s halfway to LA. Ever since I moved back, I’ve been searching for the perfect ring for Daze, and this store sent me a photo of one they’d gotten in stockthat was exactly what I wanted—an ornate sage green sapphire with fine metalwork and diamonds. It’s as unique as Daisy.

Then, I imagine my sister will want to sit down in a diner and plan out an elaborate proposal. I’ll indulge her, but I honestly don’t intend to wait another day—to overthink anything into oblivion or wait until I find the right time. Because every time, every second, is the right time with Daisy.